To mask or not to mask...that is the question

[Mr Miyagi]

I've tried ti both ways...spend the time to mask off spots where I don't want product..or be careful and clean it up later. On my 06 IS350, I am blessed not to have a huge acreage of rubber/vinyl to try and avoid. The biggest issue I deal with is the clear bra lines...they really are magnets to trap products.

Like I said, I've tried it both ways...taping takes time..especially with all the spots to protect that are 'bra related'. Without taping, there is a bit of time spent cleaning the lines.

I concluded that after waxing this weekend, the no tape method works best for me. Here are the reasons:

Like I said above, due to the car's design, there aren't a lot of rubber/vinyl spots to protect

My experience with taping still involves a certain amount of cleanup effort

Using a PC, sometimes it will pull the tape up...thus negating its purpose.

I found being careful around critical spots, and the use of a toothpick and some QD, product in the bra lines cleans up rather quickly....like 30 minutes for the whole car.

I don't worry too much about spalter on windows, etc as those areas are going to get their work done as well.

Bottom line for me...it takes less time to cleanup than it takes to protect..

Q: What does everbody else do?

[Vormund]

Re: To mask or not to mask...that is the question

I tend to not tape.

Reason being, I am going to go over it with Gold Class trim detailer anyway, which cleans it up.

[roushstage2]

Re: To mask or not to mask...that is the question

I don't tape my car, but others yes.

[Lydia]

Re: To mask or not to mask...that is the question

I don't tape my truck, and sometimes I don't tape other people's cars. That depends on the individual car/trim/etc. For instance, my aunt's rubber trim on her MPV I taped at first until I ran out of tape (whoops!). Even though I got a little A-12 Cleaner Wax on it, it cleaned off just fine anyways. Cloth (or whatever they are) convertible tops? Definately tape. Like someone else mentioned, though, with most trim I'm going to be hitting it with a trim dressing after I finish detailing anyways. Also, the PC doesn't seem to sling much product once you get the hand of it. Even around logos and things like that, I just go as close as I can with the PC and then hit the rest by hand. With a rotary it might be a completely different story.

[yalerd]

Re: To mask or not to mask...that is the question

I do tape. Certainly if I'm just waxing the car I do not, but full detail I sure do.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: To mask or not to mask...that is the question

I almost never tape when doing a DA polish job, unless the car is in really bad shape and I know I need to hit the areas close to trim pretty hard.

When using a rotary I always tape, and even lay towels over the windshield and plastic cowl just between the base of the windshield and hood. This is primarily because of the increased splatter you get with a rotary, no matter how good you are picking up that bead of product. Taping is also much more important when using the rotary because of the greater risk of damaging an edge using this tool, so when rotary buffing I will even tape off sharp body creases - these aren't trim pieces mind you but rather very sharp creases in the painted sheet metal. Some vehicles have these, other don't so it's always on a per vehicle basis.

[Hemin8r]

Re: To mask or not to mask...that is the question

I usually do tape as I go along from panel to panel. I definitely tape when using the rotory as Mike in Orange mentioned. Any trim or edge can easily be damaged. I have minimal splatter on the windows with the rotory so I don't get too crazy masking the windows off.

[TXShine]

Re: To mask or not to mask...that is the question

I do some taping when polishing, where and how much really depends on what type of trim and the areas potential of catching a lot of product. But usually not any when I’m just waxing.